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Aug 30, 2015

Press Release: Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection Recognizes Community Authority to Ban Frack Wastewater Injection Wells

Press Release: Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection Recognizes Community Authority to Ban Frack Wastewater Injection Wells

MERCERSBURG, PA: On August 12, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) took an unprecedented step, for the first time suspending the issuance of a state frack wastewater injection well permit on the basis of a local ordinance banning injection wells.

Read More | Community Wires

Aug 27, 2015

Capital Press: Why initiatives should remain a power tool for citizens

Capital Press: Why initiatives should remain a power tool for citizens

The Oregon Secretary of State refuses to certify a duly qualified state constitutional amendment that would secure the right to democratic local self-government. This writer points out the dangerous precedent established by such action if allowed to stand.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 27, 2015

The Inlander: Worker Bill of Rights will be on ballot as city declines to appeal judge’s ruling

The Inlander: Worker Bill of Rights will be on ballot as city declines to appeal judge’s ruling

The Worker Bill of Rights is the fourth initiative from Envision Spokane, now operating under Envision Worker Rights, to qualify for the ballot. It would grant new protections and rights to workers in Spokane, a prospect that has the business community worried.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 27, 2015

Press Release: Ohio Government Officials Again Deny Citizens the Right to Vote on Fracking

Press Release: Ohio Government Officials Again Deny Citizens the Right to Vote on Fracking

YOUNGSTOWN, OH: A week following Ohio Secretary of State John Husted’s ruling which stripped residents in three counties of their right to vote on Home Rule Charter initiatives, the Mahoning County Board of Elections voted to do the same to Youngstown residents. The Board refused to place a proposed Charter Amendment on the November ballot, even though all requirements for qualifying the amendment to the ballot were met, and the Board’s own attorney advised placing the amendment onto the ballot.

Read More | Community Wires

Aug 27, 2015

Vindy.com: Mahoning elections board votes to keep Youngstown anti-fracking proposal off ballot

Vindy.com: Mahoning elections board votes to keep Youngstown anti-fracking proposal off ballot

With the Mahoning County Board of Elections unanimously voting to keep a Youngstown anti-fracking charter amendment proposal off the Nov. 3 ballot, backers of the initiative are unsure of their next step.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 26, 2015

Read the Dirt: Hundreds of Communities Are Building Legal Blockades to Fight Big Carbon

Read the Dirt: Hundreds of Communities Are Building Legal Blockades to Fight Big Carbon

Communities across the country – threatened by harmful carbon extraction – are leveraging community rights and lessons from indigenous peoples to use rights-based legal strategies, working to overcome unjust western legal doctrines.

Read More | News from the Grassroots

Aug 26, 2015

The Spokesman-Review: Recognize workers’ rights

The Spokesman-Review: Recognize workers’ rights

While The Spokesman-Review got it right that all qualifying citizens’ initiatives should make it onto the ballot, the editorial board continues to get it wrong on corporate rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 25, 2015

The Bradford Era: New defendants want in on Highland Township injection well lawsuit

The Bradford Era: New defendants want in on Highland Township injection well lawsuit

A natural gas driller suing Highland Township in federal court claims attempts by outside parties to intervene in the case, one involving a municipal ban on wastewater injection wells, are both “befuddled” and baseless, asking the court to refuse their inclusion, in a statement filed on Monday.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 24, 2015

The Vindicator: Youngstown council puts anti-fracking amendment on November ballot

The Vindicator: Youngstown council puts anti-fracking amendment on November ballot

YOUNGSTOWN ­— City council voted today to put an anti-fracking charter amendment proposal on the Nov. 3 ballot, and the Mahoning County Board of Elections could do the same as early as Wednesday.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 24, 2015

EcoWatch: Corporate Rights Trump Democracy in Ohio Fracking Fight

EcoWatch: Corporate Rights Trump Democracy in Ohio Fracking Fight

People who oppose having their communities transformed into corporate resource colonies are familiar with the Halliburton Loophole, a secretly drafted edict that places the oil and gas industries above the law, exempting them and no one else from obeying the clean water act, the clean air act, the safe water drinking act, and others. Now, Ohio Sec. of State Jon Husted has unilaterally placed those same corporations above the Ohio State Constitution.

Read More | News from the Grassroots, Press Releases & Blogs

Aug 24, 2015

Ohio SOS in hot water over dismissing unconventional oil & gas ballot proposals

Ohio SOS in hot water over dismissing unconventional oil & gas ballot proposals

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted has been sued by 10 residents of Fulton, Medina and Athens counties after he invalidated hydraulic fracturing ballot proposals.

The group is challenging Husted’s decision to remove a series of ballot questions that contain bans on fracking-related oil and gas drilling projects, such as wastewater injection wells used during the fracturing process.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 24, 2015

Pagosa Daily Post: Coloradans for Community Rights Submits State Ballot Initiative

Pagosa Daily Post: Coloradans for Community Rights Submits State Ballot Initiative

Coloradans advance their campaign for a statewide community rights state constitutional amendment for the 2016 ballot. Residents across the state refuse to remain resource colonies for corporate profits, and are working to codify their right to local self-government.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 23, 2015

Vindy.com: Youngstown council to vote Monday to put an anti-fracking charter amendment proposal on ballot

Vindy.com: Youngstown council to vote Monday to put an anti-fracking charter amendment proposal on ballot

City council will vote Monday to put an anti-fracking charter amendment proposal on the Nov. 3 ballot, and it appears the Mahoning County Board of Elections will do the same in a couple of weeks.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 22, 2015

The Colorado Statesman: Activists tweak message, timing in latest anti-fracking ballot fight

The Colorado Statesman: Activists tweak message, timing in latest anti-fracking ballot fight

Activists will take another crack at passing the Colorado Community Rights Amendment, a proposed ballot initiative designed to give localities a veto over corporate activity, starting with the oil and gas industry.

Read More | News from the Grassroots

Aug 21, 2015

E&E Reporter: Fracking foes ask Ohio Supreme Court to reinstate ballot drives

E&E Reporter: Fracking foes ask Ohio Supreme Court to reinstate ballot drives

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted blocked the initiatives in Athens, Fulton and Medina counties on Nov. 13, 2014, saying local governments cannot get around state law that allows fracking. He acted under a section of Ohio law that allows the secretary of state to respond to election complaints (EnergyWire, Aug. 17).

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 21, 2015

NGI’s Shale Daily: Ohio Organizers Sue Secretary of State For Invalidating Anti-Fracking Petitions

NGI’s Shale Daily: Ohio Organizers Sue Secretary of State For Invalidating Anti-Fracking Petitions

The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF) has filed a lawsuit against Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted for his recent decision to invalidate petitions in three counties across the state that sought to ban oil and gas development.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 21, 2015

Judge sets path for voters to decide renewable energy ordinance

Judge sets path for voters to decide renewable energy ordinance

The second of two legal challenges filed in opposition to a proposed “community Bill of Rights” relating to energy production and consumption in Columbia County was resolved Friday, Aug. 14.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 21, 2015

Press Release: Fracking Fight Heats Up in Ohio

Press Release: Fracking Fight Heats Up in Ohio

COLUMBUS, OH: With the oil and gas industry already reveling in a recent Ohio Supreme Court decision stripping local control on fracking and other extraction activities away from communities, the Secretary of State has now handed the industry another victory, opening the door for fracking infrastructure projects to spread even faster across Ohio.

Read More | Community Wires

Aug 21, 2015

Fracking Fight Heats Up In Ohio

Fracking Fight Heats Up In Ohio

With the oil and gas industry already reveling in a recent Ohio Supreme Court decision stripping local control on fracking and other extraction activities away from communities, the Secretary of State has now handed the industry another victory, opening the door for fracking infrastructure projects to spread even faster across Ohio.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 21, 2015

Lawsuit filed against Jon Husted over Medina County charter ballot issue

Lawsuit filed against Jon Husted over Medina County charter ballot issue

A Medina County environmental organization Wednesday sued Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted after he threw out a fall ballot issue last week that would have placed restrictions on oil and gas projects within county lines.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 21, 2015

Union Leader: Northern Pass project remains a lightning rod

Union Leader: Northern Pass project remains a lightning rod

Opposition to Northern Pass – a 180-mile proposed route through NH of high transmission wires and steel towers reaching 140 feet in height – remains strong. CELDF partner, the New Hampshire Community Rights Network, stands strong to protect residents’ right to decide whether or not Northern Pass sites here.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 20, 2015

Local groups sue Husted over invalidating Nov. 3 charter initiatives in Medina, Fulton and Athens counties

Local groups sue Husted over invalidating Nov. 3 charter initiatives in Medina, Fulton and Athens counties

Residents of Medina, Fulton and Athens counties filed a lawsuit against Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted this week for blocking local votes on county charter initiatives to stop natural gas pipelines and injection wells.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 20, 2015

Supreme Court to rule on anti-fracking measures

Supreme Court to rule on anti-fracking measures

Representatives of committees in Athens County and two other Ohio counties seeking passage of anti-fracking county charters are asking the Ohio Supreme Court to order Secretary of State Jon Husted to dismiss protests against the measures and allow them to make the Nov. 3 general election ballots in the three counties.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 20, 2015

The Olympian: Fracking foes sue Ohio elections chief over ballot ruling

The Olympian: Fracking foes sue Ohio elections chief over ballot ruling

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Residents in three Ohio counties contend in a lawsuit that Secretary of State Jon Husted violated their rights when he invalidated ballot proposals they offered that would have restricted development projects related to the gas-drilling technique known as fracking.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 19, 2015

Meigs County Home Rule Committee

Meigs County Home Rule Committee

A state constitution is the governing document of a U.S. state, like as the United States Constitution is the governing document of the United States. Then, a county charter can rightly be compared to a constitution at the local level. It spells out the powers, duties and structures of government and the rights of county citizens.

Read More | Community Wires

Aug 19, 2015

The Leap: In Colorado, A Revolutionary New Coalition Stands for Community Rights

The Leap: In Colorado, A Revolutionary New Coalition Stands for Community Rights

In Colorado, local governments cannot raise the minimum wage, pass rent control laws, or ban fracking. A system of state “preemption”—a favorite tool of the fossil fuel industry—stands in their way.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 17, 2015

Denver Business Journal: Proposed Colorado amendment would give locals more say on fracking, wages (Video)

Denver Business Journal: Proposed Colorado amendment would give locals more say on fracking, wages (Video)

Community activists submitted the wording Monday for a proposed Colorado constitutional amendment that would allow local governments more power over oil and gas regulations and over the setting of a minimum wage.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 17, 2015

Husted nixes charter proposal

Husted nixes charter proposal

Fulton County residents will not vote on a charter government Nov. 3 because the submitted proposal flies in the face of state law, according to Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 17, 2015

EnergyWire: Ohio secretary of state tosses anti-fracking elections in 3 counties

EnergyWire: Ohio secretary of state tosses anti-fracking elections in 3 counties

Ohio blocked three counties from holding elections that could ban oil and gas or pipeline development, but organizers said they may go to court to get the proposals back on the ballot, and at least one local election could still go forward.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 16, 2015

Ohio Secretary of State says: No vote on local charter

Ohio Secretary of State says: No vote on local charter

The Athens County Bill of Rights Committee, along with similar committees in Medina and Fulton counties, plans to appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court after Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted rejected the groups’ anti-fracking charter government proposals for the ballot this November.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 16, 2015

Vindy.com: Petition decision & tyranny

Vindy.com: Petition decision & tyranny

Once again, political tyranny rears its ugly head as Ohio Secretary Of State Jon Husted maintains that as chief executive over elections, he is using his “unfettered authority’’ to make thousands of signatures of active voters invalid in ruling that referendums on fracking would circumvent state law.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 16, 2015

Anti-frackers hope to make Youngstown’s November ballot

Anti-frackers hope to make Youngstown’s November ballot

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – In Athens, Fulton and Medina Counties Ohio’s Secretary of State, Jon Husted, declared anti-fracking ballot initiatives will not be put before voters on the November ballot, even though there were enough signatures to place them on the ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 15, 2015

Medina County can’t vote to ban fracking

Medina County can’t vote to ban fracking

MEDINA, Ohio – The fight isn’t over for Medina County homeowners opposed to the Nexus pipeline and pushing for a ban on fracking in the county.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 14, 2015

Ohio groups unhappy with Husted decision on charter votes

Ohio groups unhappy with Husted decision on charter votes

COLUMBUS, OH: The Ohio Secretary of State, Jon Husted, declared that the citizens of Medina, Fulton, and Athens Counties may not vote on their own county charter initiatives, despite meeting requirements to place those initiatives on the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 14, 2015

Groups to seek Ohio constitutional change on community rights

Groups to seek Ohio constitutional change on community rights

Grass-roots groups in Medina and two other counties intend to keep fighting Ohio’s gas-and-oil industry, after Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted invalidated ballot proposals in those counties.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 14, 2015

Ohio counties can’t vote to ban fracking, Husted rules

Ohio counties can’t vote to ban fracking, Husted rules

Residents of three counties won’t be voting this November on whether to allow fracking, based on a ruling Thursday by Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted.

Read More | News from the Grassroots

Aug 14, 2015

Press Release: Ohio Secretary of State Denies Ohio Citizens their Constitutional Right to Vote

Press Release: Ohio Secretary of State Denies Ohio Citizens their Constitutional Right to Vote

COLUMBUS, OH: The Ohio Secretary of State, Jon Husted, declared that the citizens of Medina, Fulton, and Athens Counties may not vote on their own county charter initiatives, despite meeting requirements to place those initiatives on the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires

Aug 14, 2015

Press Release: People of Spokane to Vote on Worker Bill of Rights

Press Release: People of Spokane to Vote on Worker Bill of Rights

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON: Judge Salvatore Cozza from the Spokane County Superior denied a preliminary injunction brought by the Mayor of Spokane to block the vote of a Worker Bill of Rights initiative, which is on the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 13, 2015

Secretary of State sides with Athens County charter protest, rejects proposal for November ballot

Secretary of State sides with Athens County charter protest, rejects proposal for November ballot

Community bill of rights in charter proposal would have banned some fracking-related activities

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 13, 2015

Meigs County group sues commissioners on charter initiative

Meigs County group sues commissioners on charter initiative

MEIGS COUNTY, OH: Frustrated by the efforts of the Meigs County Commissioners to keep residents’ community rights county charter initiative off the November ballot, the Meigs County Home Rule Committee (MCHRC) has sued the Commissioners to force the measure on to the ballot. On July 20, they filed a lawsuit in the Fourth District Court of Appeals in Chillicothe, claiming the Commissioners have illegally refused to take action on the measure in order to block a vote by the people.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 12, 2015

August Update: Chomsky, Hedges, Unions Endorse Worker Bill of Rights

August Update: Chomsky, Hedges, Unions Endorse Worker Bill of Rights

Learn the latest news on Spokane, WA’s, Worker Bill of Rights, read Community Rights Paper #5 on Citizens United, and join us for the launching of the Ohio Community Rights Workshop.

Read More | News from the Grassroots

Aug 12, 2015

Media Statement: Meigs County Commissioners Resort to Chicanery to Keep County Charter Initiative off the Ballot

Media Statement: Meigs County Commissioners Resort to Chicanery to Keep County Charter Initiative off the Ballot

MEIGS COUNTY, OH: Frustrated by the efforts of the Meigs County Commissioners to keep residents’ community rights county charter initiative off the November ballot, the Meigs County Home Rule Committee (MCHRC) has sued the Commissioners to force the measure on to the ballot.

Read More | Community Wires

Aug 12, 2015

Warren City

Warren City

The Community Rights action in Warren City, Warren County, Pennsylvania has been a dramatic chapter in rights-based organizing. Facing tremendous political opposition from local officials and the gas industry, the charter amendment was soundly defeated, garnering 38% of the vote.

Read More | Community Wires

Aug 12, 2015

State College

State College

On November 8, 2011, the residents of State College voted overwhelmingly—72%—to amend their Home Rule Charter to include a Community Bill of Rights.

Read More | Community Wires

Aug 12, 2015

Peters Township Overview

Peters Township Overview

On November 23, 2010 Ellen Mavrich contacted CELDF asking for advice about adopting a community rights ordinance similar to the one enacted by Pittsburgh City Council, in consultation with CELDF, on November 16th. This is their story.

Read More | Community Wires

Aug 12, 2015

Inlander: Envision Spokane fires back against mayor’s legal challenge

Inlander: Envision Spokane fires back against mayor’s legal challenge

CELDF assists Envision Spokane in asking a judge to dismiss efforts to keep the people’s Worker Bill of Rights off the ballot. Spokane, WA’s, mayor filed the lawsuit.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 12, 2015

Allegheny Defense Project: Rural PA Township in the Allegheny National Forest refuses to be bullied by Houston, Texas based oil and gas company Seneca Resources Corporation.

Allegheny Defense Project: Rural PA Township in the Allegheny National Forest refuses to be bullied by Houston, Texas based oil and gas company Seneca Resources Corporation.

Highland Township, PA, supervisors voted last night to defend the people’s Community Bill of Rights banning frack wastewater injection wells. Seneca Resources Corporation claims it has a corporate “right” to inject wastewater in the township, and does not recognize the community’s right to protect their clean water.

Read More | Community Wires

Aug 11, 2015

Press Release: Ecosystem, Community Group, and Municipal Authority File for Intervention in Lawsuit to Defend Community from Injection Well

Press Release: Ecosystem, Community Group, and Municipal Authority File for Intervention in Lawsuit to Defend Community from Injection Well

HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP, PA: Today, an ecosystem in the United States filed a motion to intervene in a federal lawsuit to defend its own rights to exist and flourish.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Aug 9, 2015

Ohio Secretary of State to decide on charter protest this week

Ohio Secretary of State to decide on charter protest this week

The Ohio Secretary of State’s Office is expected to make a decision by this Thursday on whether a proposed charter government for Athens County will go on the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots